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09 May 2009 14:49

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Biz, U.S.: Obama wants a credit card regulatory bill on his desk ASAP

  • There is no time for delay. We need a durable and successful flow of credit in our economy, but we can’t tolerate profits that depend upon misleading working families. Those days are over.
  • President Barack Obama • In his weekly radio address. Obama wants a bill that limits some of the more predatory aspects of the credit industry. The Credit Card Holders’ Bill of Rights, currently waiting on a vote in the Senate after it passed the House, is such a bill, but the banking industry is fighting it. Obama wants a bill on his desk by Memorial Day. • source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

09 Apr 2009 20:52

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U.S., World: Why does Obama think the new Iraq funding is needed?

  • Nearly 95 percent of these funds will be used to support our men and women in uniform as they help the people of Iraq to take responsibility for their own future — and work to disrupt, dismantle and defeat al-Qaida in Pakistan and Afghanistan.
  • President Barack Obama • In a letter to Democratic Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, on the need to pass this bill. When Obama was a senator, he opposed a special war spending bill bill similar to this one (which didn’t, by the way, have an endgame) proposed by Bush. Press secretary Robert Gibbs made light of this, but said it was different because the money would be needed soon. • source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

25 Mar 2009 22:17

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Offbeat: The guy who said this about a saggy pants bill gets a gold star

  • This is the ‘crack’ bill, and I think any respectable citizen would be against crack.
  • Tennessee State Rep. Joe Towns • On creating a saggy pants bill to stop the spread of drawer-revealing loose jeans. Towns co-sponsored the bill and sounds like an awesome guy otherwise. • source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

24 Mar 2009 21:20

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Politics, U.S.: Maryland senator wants to save the newspaper, legislatively

  • About the bill Sen. Benjamin Cardin of Maryland introduced a bill today that would allow newspapers to be treated as nonprofit organizations and get tax breaks. They would not be able to make political endorsements (i.e. opinion sections), but they could report objectively on the news, including political campaigns. Cardin says the loss of journalism “is a real tragedy for communities across the nation and for our democracy.” source
  • About the bill Sen. Benjamin Cardin of Maryland introduced a bill today that would allow newspapers to be treated as nonprofit organizations and get tax breaks. They would not be able to make political endorsements (i.e. opinion sections), but they could report objectively on the news, including political campaigns. Cardin says the loss of journalism “is a real tragedy for communities across the nation and for our democracy.”
  • Why it’s needed In case you haven’t read the tone of this blog when we’re not making fart jokes, this is about journalism and its long-term future. Newspapers are getting closed left and right. Recently, the Ann Arbor News announced that it would fold its print edition, which is a big deal because Ann Arbor, Mich. is a one-paper town. This trend is not good for the economy, it’s not good for local news and it’s not good for the public. source
  • About the bill Sen. Benjamin Cardin of Maryland introduced a bill today that would allow newspapers to be treated as nonprofit organizations and get tax breaks. They would not be able to make political endorsements (i.e. opinion sections), but they could report objectively on the news, including political campaigns. Cardin says the loss of journalism “is a real tragedy for communities across the nation and for our democracy.”
  • Why it’s needed In case you haven’t read the tone of this blog when we’re not making fart jokes, this is about journalism and its long-term future. Newspapers are getting closed left and right. Recently, the Ann Arbor News announced that it would fold its print edition, which is a big deal because Ann Arbor, Mich. is a one-paper town. This trend is not good for the economy, it’s not good for local news and it’s not good for the public.
  • Reactions You can imagine some people like this a lot, while whiny cranks don’t. A sample: “Seriously, after all that the Media has done to this Country, to think that I would want them to survive is asinine. Stop the presses, shutter the doors, fire the editors and let’s all do this online or by word of mouth.” Here’s an editorial statement: People who say things like this are freaking idiots. Even when you say you don’t love them, you know you really do. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

11 Feb 2009 22:15

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U.S.: The stimulus bill dips below $800 billion

  • $789 billion right now, and very, very close to passing source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

08 Feb 2009 10:19

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U.S.: Obama ups the pass-the-stimulus pressure on Congress

  • In the midst of our greatest economic crisis since the Great Depression, the American people were hoping that Congress would begin to confront the great challenges we face. That was, after all, what last November’s election was all about.
  • Barack Obama • in his weekly radio address. Obama has pushed hard for the $800+ billion stimulus bill to pass, particularly in the last week, when he’s seen resistance from Republican senators. They’re trying to accomodate, though: Senators debated the details of the plan in a rare Saturday session. • source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

26 Jan 2009 15:33

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Tech: Camera phones could have to click with the law

  • A new bill is making a clicking noise. Republican Rep. Peter King of New York recently introduced a bill to Congress that would force cell-phone-makers to have their phones make a “clicking” noise whenever they’re used, so as to prevent the shooter from using their phones as spy cameras. We’re not sure how we feel about this – it seems like there’s arguments for and against a bill like this. However, there appears that the bill is stuck in committee, so it may not even be an issue. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink
 

23 Jan 2009 17:09

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U.S.: How quickly does Obama want to use up the stimulus package?

  • 75% of the $825 billion package spent in just 18 months source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink
 
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